For many manufacturers, social media can feel intimidating, time consuming, or unnecessary. Yet when it comes to attracting talent, building awareness, and showing the next generation what modern manufacturing really looks like, social media is one of the most powerful tools available.
This month’s WestComp training focuses on helping manufacturing teams become confident online storytellers through simple systems that are easy to maintain and effective in building visibility.
You do not need a marketing department to succeed. You simply need consistency, authenticity, and a willingness to share the work you already do every day.
Why Social Media Matters for Manufacturing
Students, parents, educators, and job seekers often have outdated perceptions of manufacturing. Social media is your opportunity to change that narrative by showing:
- Clean and modern facilities
- Advanced technology
- Real employees and apprentices
- Positive team culture
- Growth opportunities
- Community involvement
When you share real moments from your workplace, you help people understand that manufacturing is a stable, meaningful, future-focused career path.
This supports WestComp’s mission to expand community awareness, strengthen youth outreach, and grow the regional workforce pipeline.
Platforms to Focus on in 2026
You do not need to be everywhere. Focus on the platforms where job seekers, students, and community members already spend time.
- Facebook
Ideal for community engagement, parent audiences, and local visibility. Great for sharing photos, videos, announcements, and hiring posts. - Instagram
Perfect for visual content. Great for showcasing culture, equipment, behind-the-scenes moments, and quick video clips. - LinkedIn
Strong for professional storytelling. Useful for recruiting skilled positions, sharing achievements, and connecting with educators and workforce partners.
If your team consistently uses these three platforms, you already have a competitive advantage.
Simple Content Types Anyone Can Capture
You do not need a professional camera or complicated setup. Authentic content performs better than polished marketing because it feels real and trustworthy.
Here are easy content categories your team can create in under a minute:
- Behind the Scenes Moments
A quick photo of a machine running, a team discussing a project, or parts being assembled. - Employee Spotlights
Short videos where employees answer simple prompts like:- What do you enjoy about your job?
- What surprised you about working in manufacturing?
- What have you learned this year?
- Culture Highlights
Birthdays, team lunches, training days, safety milestones, volunteer work, or simple moments of teamwork. - Before and After Visuals
Show the process from raw material to finished product. People love transformation stories. - Training and Technology Features
Show off modern machines, robotics, CNC equipment, or VR tools used in learning programs. - Facility Moments
A clean workspace, a machine setup, employees collaborating. These signals a positive work environment.
None of this requires scripting or planning. It simply requires attention to the everyday work that already happens.
Quick Wins That Boost Visibility Without Running Ads
Not every post needs to go viral. What you want is steady, ongoing visibility that builds trust over time.
Here are easy ways to boost your reach:
- Post consistently
Even one or two posts per week keeps your company top of mind in the community. - Use your local hashtags
Examples:- #OhioManufacturing
- #MadeInOhio
- #WestCentralOhio
- #SkilledTrades
- #ManufacturingCareers
Consistency in hashtags helps you show up in local searches.
- Tag partners and programs
Tag schools, training centers, workforce partners, or WestComp. This increases cross visibility and builds goodwill. - Share the faces of your team
Employee photos often perform better than machine photos because people connect with people. - Celebrate small wins
- A completed project
- A new apprentice
- A team lunch
- A clean workstation
- A certificate earned
- These moments tell your story better than any brochure.
How to Avoid Boring or Overly Corporate Content
The biggest mistake manufacturers make is trying to sound too formal. Social media is meant to feel personal, approachable, and real.
Avoid posts that sound like a press release. Instead, try:
- Use natural language
Talk the way your team talks. - Show real people
Stock photos feel fake and uninspiring. - Share everyday moments
You do not need perfect lighting or scripts. Honest wins every time. - Keep captions short and engaging
One or two sentences is often enough. - Answer common questions
- Potential job seekers want to know:
- What is the work environment like
- How much training is provided
- What does career growth look like
- What skills they can learn
When you speak to real questions, your content becomes more valuable.
How WestCOMP Partners Can Stay Consistent
You do not have to create everything from scratch.
WestCOMP has already developed social graphics and content you can share as a partner. From scholarship announcements to workforce initiatives to program highlights, there are ready-made resources designed to support your visibility.
We recommend posting a minimum of three times per week.
That could include:
- Sharing a WestCOMP initiative
- Posting a job opportunity
- Highlighting an employee story
- Showing a behind-the-scenes process
- Celebrating a milestone
Three posts per week keeps your organization visible without overwhelming your team.
Consistency builds familiarity. Familiarity builds trust.
Remember: Social Media Is Social
The goal is not to broadcast. The goal is to engage.
Ask simple questions. Invite comments. Encourage dialogue.
Use your channels to:
- Educate about modern manufacturing
- Entertain with behind-the-scenes moments
- Be known as the expert in your field
- Build relationships that lead to repeat and referral business
Social media is one of the most affordable relationship-building tools available.
Use the POST Framework to Guide Your Content
At NOW Marketing Group, we use the POST Framework to help organizations show up strategically online.
POST stands for:
P – Personalized
Highlight real people. Show your team. Make your company human.
O – Open-Ended
Ask questions. Invite responses. Encourage interaction.
S – Style
Use your tone of voice. Keep your branding consistent. Make your posts recognizable.
T – Timely
Keep people informed about:
- A new workshop
- A new technology rollout
- A new team member
- A scholarship opportunity
- A celebration
- A facility upgrade
Bring your audience into your inner circle.
When you combine consistent posting with the POST framework, social media becomes more than marketing. It becomes a relationship engine.
The Bottom Line: Effective Social Media Starts With Simple Storytelling
You do not need a marketing degree to succeed online. You only need consistency and authenticity.
Social media is your chance to put modern manufacturing on display for the entire community. When you show the day-to-day reality of your workplace, you help inspire future workers, support hiring, improve retention, and strengthen the entire regional workforce pipeline.
WestComp is here to support you as you build confidence in your online storytelling. Together, we can change how people see manufacturing in West Central Ohio and grow a workforce that is ready for the future.